Shorter opening hours and fewer places. These are some of the changes taking place in the Jämtland mountain world this summer.
It has also created misunderstandings among visitors, which has led to fewer bookings.
There are still places available this summer, says Daniel Skog from the Swedish Tourist Association.
Last August, the Swedish Tourist Association (STF) and the Sami villages in Jämtland reached an agreement at the request of the County Administrative Board – which meant that STF would close parts of its operations there, in order not to disturb the reindeer in the area. It came into effect at the turn of the year.
This summer is therefore expected to be different compared to previous years. Among other things, STF estimates that they will receive approximately 2,500 fewer guests this summer compared to last year – due to the changes.
One difference is that the summer season is shorter than before. The mountain huts and mountain stations are opening one to four weeks later than they did before. They opened on July 1 this year, with the exception of Sylarna's mountain station, which opens a week later, on July 15.
Misunderstandings among visitors
At Blåhammaren's mountain station, the number of beds has been halved and the restaurant has closed.
This means that you have to cook your own food at Blåhammaren mountain station. We also have a shop there that sells both lunch boxes and ingredients, says Daniel Skog, sustainability manager at STF.
On the other hand, the restaurants at Sylarna's and Helags mountain stations remain. However, at Sylarna's mountain station, the number of beds has decreased by 25 percent.
One mountain hut has closed completely – Gåsen's mountain hut. This has created misunderstandings among visitors, according to Daniel Skog.
We have noticed that some guests think we are closing more mountain stations than we actually are.
Fewer bookings
STF has also received fewer bookings than before, and guests are booking much later this year, which STF partly believes is due to the misunderstanding.
There are still places available this summer, which is unusual, says Daniel Skog.
The misunderstanding may have contributed to it, but also the low-consumption economy we are in affects how people plan their vacation.
Last year, the Swedish Tourist Association had around 40,000 guest nights at the accommodations they operate in the Jämtland mountains. Due to the changes, they expect to have 8,000 fewer guest nights this year.
It's clear that this affects us economically.
But at the same time, we are reducing costs by cutting back on staff and closing a restaurant operation.
Karin Rader/TT
Facts: This is how the changes look in the Jämtland mountains this summer
TT
The summer season is becoming shorter. The mountain huts and mountain stations are opening later, in order not to disturb the reindeer during the sensitive calving period.
Most of them opened on July 1 this year, with the exception of Sylarna's mountain station, which opens on July 15.
Blåhammaren's mountain station no longer has serving. The restaurant is closed and the number of beds has been halved.
The restaurants at Sylarna's and Helags mountain stations remain.
At Sylarna's mountain station, the number of beds has decreased by 25 percent.
Gåsen's mountain hut has closed completely.
Source: STF
